David Allan Coe

David Allan Coe (born David Alan Coe on September 6, 1939 in Akron, Ohio) is an American outlaw country music singer who achieved his greatest popularity in the 1970s. He has written and performed over 280 original songs throughout his long career.

Known for his outlaw persona, Coe reputedly spent most of his youth in various prisons until releasing his debut album, Penitentiary Blues, in 1968 and touring with Grand Funk Railroad. In 1973 he joined Danny Sheridan's notorious Eli Radish Band. His concerts were wild and unpredictable, as Coe began calling himself the Mysterious Rhinestone Cowboy and he wore a rhinestone costume and Lone Ranger mask, riding into concerts on a motorcycle.

Coe finally hit the Top Ten with "You Never Even Called Me By My Name" in 1975. The song, written in conjunction with Steve Goodman, is known as "the perfect country and western song". It includes a narrative in which Coe explains that the perfect country and western song has to mention "Mama, or trains, or trucks, or prison, ...